Domestic Violence No Contact Order

A person who has reported to the police an incident involving domestic violence as defined in RCW 10.99.020. Criminal charges must be pending or filed. May be a condition of sentencing.

What Can an Order Do?

Prohibit contact of any kind; prohibit the abuser from knowingly coming within or staying within a specific distance of a location. Protects the victim in an active case while waiting for trial and sentencing. The order can also be a condition of sentence and effective up to the statutory maximum sentence and/or until probation is concluded.

How is an Order Obtained?

A crime must first be reported to the police. If the abuser has been arrested or issued a citation, the victim may ask the prosecutor to request a no-contact order. The prosecutor may ask the court for a protection order regardless of the victim's wishes. The order may be obtained in district, municipal or superior court. (In some jurisdictions, orders are issued via the police or jail.)